Strike disrupts Portugal public transport system

Shadows of passengers are cast on the pavement as they wait for a bus at Cais do Sodre hub station in Lisbon, during a strike by public transport workers Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. The strike caused some disruption for travelers but had a patchy turnout. Train services ran mostly as usual, as Lisbon buses and streetcars also operated largely as normal, though the Lisbon subway shut down for the day and ferry services stopped during the morning rush hour. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — A 24-hour strike by Portuguese public transport workers caused some disruption for travelers but had a patchy turnout Thursday, suggesting resistance to the government’s austerity program is softening.

Train services ran mostly as usual, even though rail workers’ unions are traditionally among the most militant labor groups. Lisbon buses and streetcars also operated largely as normal, though the Lisbon subway shut down for the day and ferry services stopped during the morning rush hour.

Unions representing public transport workers called their third strike since November as part of a campaign against government proposals to streamline services and merge or privatize some of the state-owned mass transit companies. Ticket prices have also increased.

Public transport is one of the debt-laden sectors burdening Portuguese efforts to pull out of a debt crisis that last year pushed the country close to bankruptcy and forced it to take a €78 billion ($102 billion) international bailout.

Portugal’s woes have aggravated the 17-nation eurozone’s financial troubles, with some analysts predicting the country will follow Greece in asking for more money and more time to settle its debts. The government, however, insists it doesn’t need any more help.

The government says the public transport sector’s debts amount to some €17 billion. That’s equivalent to roughly 10 percent of the country’s annual gross domestic product.

Though the austerity measures including pay and welfare cuts and tax hikes are unpopular, there is broad political consensus on the need to restore Portugal’s fiscal health. The country’s three main political parties, representing more than 80 percent of votes in Parliament, gave their blessing to the bailout agreement which entails steep spending cuts.

The austerity program has contributed to a sharp economic slowdown. The Bank of Portugal forecasts an economic contraction of 3.1 percent this year, while the unemployment rate has risen to 13.6 percent.